Shelving



, 1931. A. H. LEVENE SHELVING Filed May 15. 1929 May 19 IN V EN TOR.

Patented May 19, 1931 UNITED STATES ALBERT H. LEVENE, F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY SHELVING- Application filed May 15,

This invention relates to shelving and particularly to structures of this character formed from sheet metal; and the object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive type of metal shelving consisting of standard portions joined by shelf members, the latter being of such structure as to permit of their assemblage with the standards in a number of positions so as to provide differ- 0 cut arrangement of the shelves with respect to the standards to adapt the same for use in displaying merchandise of diflerent kinds and classes; a further object being to provide the standards of a shelf structure of the class specified with two sets of vertically spaced apertures and the shelf members with spaced apertures whereby the several mountings of the shelf members in connection with the standards is made possible; a still further object being to provide means whereby a series of shelf sections may be arranged side by side or back to back, thus facilitating the construction or erection of shelvings to suit the wants or needs of the user; and with these and other objects in view, the invention conclaimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which Fig. 1 is a sectional and side view of a shelving structure made accordin to my invention and illustrating severa arrangements of shelf members thereon.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view on the line 22 of Fig. 1. i I Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fi 1; and, Y 7

Fig. 5 is a partial section on. the line 55 of Fi 1.

In forming my improved shelf construction, I employ an le iron standards 10, to the lower ends of which are secured foot mem- Fig. 4 is a partial section on the line 4-4 of bein 1929. Serial in. 363,372.

bers 11 also of angle iron construction and extending forwardly with respect to the standards and bolted or riveted thereto as seen at 12. The standards 10 consist of a wide flange 10a and a narrow flange 10b. The wide flange of each standard has two vertical columns of spaced apertures 10c and 1001, the apertures 100 being arranged slightly above the adjacent apertures 10d as clearly. ,seen on a consideration of Fig. 1 of the drawing, and both sets of apertures 100 are equally spaced vertically on the standards or flanges 10a thereof.

I also provide a plurality of shelf members 13 which are all preferably of the same construction and consist of a sheet of metal 14 forming the shelf member proper, the side edges of the sheet 14 being bent at right angles to form side flanges 15, one end of the sheet being bent at right angles to form a flange 16 directed oppositely to the flanges 15 and the other end of the sheet havmg a similar flange 17 arranged in the same direction as the'flanges 15.

With this construction, it will be seen that the shelf members 13 may be so arranged and coupled with the standards 10 to arrange the flange 16 at the outer edge of the shelf in an upward direction or in a downward direction, it being further apparent that the flange 17 may be arranged at the forward edge of the shelf in either an upward or downward direction. I

The side flanges 15 of the shelf members 13 arev provided adjacent the flanges 16 and 17 with a plurality of apertures, the outermost of which is designated at 18inwardly of which are two other apertures 19-20 adj acent which is an aperture 21 and inwardly of the aperture 21 at the flange side 17 of the shelf member is another aperture 22.

In all uses of the shelf members, the apertures 18 at one end of theshelf members are adapted to register with one of the apertures 10d, whereas the apertures 19, 20 and 21 are adapted to register with one of the apertures. 100 in supportingthe shelf members in different angular positions, the shelf members secured in position by bolts 23', preferab y having countersunk heads 23a note Fig. 3, so that one shelf section may be placed closely adjacent, against or in abutting relation to an adjacent section in the manner indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

In supporting the shelf members in horizontal position or at right angles to the standards 10, the bolts 23 are passed through the apertures 18 and 19, it being clear that the aperture 19 is oflset with respect to the aperture 18 to correspond with the offsetting the apertures 100 and 1003 in the standards. To support the shelf member in a slightly inclined position as seen in the third shelf from the top, Fig. 1, the. bolts are passed through the apertures 20 and the apertures 100 next below "the apertures d in alinement with the apertures 18. In like manner, to support the shelf member in a greatly inclined position as seen in Fig. 1, below the shelf member just referred to, the bolts are passed through the apertures 21, and the second tier of apertures 10c below the apertures 10d which are in alinement with the apertures 18 of such shelf member.

In supporting a shelf member in an upwardly inclined position as seen in the lower shelf, Fig. 1, the apertures 20 are brought in alinement with the apertures 100 in the standards arranged slightly above the apertures 10d. It will therefore be seen that the upward inclination is not as great as the downward inclination shown in the third shelf member from the top.

Referring to the separate uses of the. shelf members illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the uppermost shelf may be used for the storage of merchandise of any kind 'or class, the flange 16 serving to prevent accidental displacement of the merchandise from 40 the forward end of the shelf.

The second shelf has the flange '17 directed upwardly and the flange 16 downwardly so that a drawer or sliding member may bereadily incorporated in this shelf to permit.

the free sliding movement of the drawerwith respect thereto. In the third shelf member, a the flange 16 is directed upwardly to support articles in a sli htly inclined position so as to be more rea ily seen, this type of shelf beng used for packages or articles of more or less flat construction; and the fourth shelf a is designed for supporting magazines, papers and similar articles, the flange 16 being directed u wardly and outwardly.

1th this "type of construction, it is preferred that a spring 24.be extended across the upper end o the shelf member, and from one standard to the other so as to engage the upper end of magazines or similar ar- 60 ticles 25 placed on the shelf member, to prevent the accidental displacement thereof. The next or fifth shelf member arranged in an upwardly inclined position is designed for. an porting books, bins or other articles of this class so as to render the same visible and accessible. With this type of construction, a rod 26 is preferably arranged between thestandards 10 to form a backrest and support for the books and other articles 27 and also to form pivots for reinforcing links 28 which extend downwardly and outwardly from the rods 26 and are pivoted or otherwise secured to the flanges 15 of the shelf member by bolts, 29, passed through the apertures 22 in said flanges and through the lower ends of said links.

I also preferably arran e a frame 30 upon the foot members 11 and etween the standards 10, upon which frame, a box, case, bin or the like 31 may be supported, preferably in an upwardly inclined position, the rear end of the box or article 31 being supported on a rod 32 arranged between the standards 10 and similar tothe rod 26.

It will be understood that with the exception of the rods 26 and 32 in the frame 30, the standards are coupled together by the several shelf members 13 employed. It will also be understood that any of the shelf members may be reinforced in their support in connection with the standards if called upon to hold heavy loads by the use of the brace links such as 28 which may be arranged above or blelow the shelf members as may be desire It will also be understood that while I have shown a specific form of standard and shelf member for coupling therewith, that these structures are merely illustrative of one method of car ing my invention into effect, and various 0t er changes in and modifications of the construction herein shown and described may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In shelvin two standards having attaching plates dlsposed in parallel relation to each other, the plates of each standard having vertically and transversely s aced apertures, shelf members adapted to e arranged between the attaching plates of said standards and having side flanges, said flanges having a plurality of apertures arranged in predetermined spaced relation with reference to each other and at least two of which are adapted to register with two of the a eratures in the plates of said standards an in such 6 manner as to project the major portion of the shelf members with respect to the standards and to arrange the same in predetermined angular relation with res ect thereto, and coupling devices assed t rou h the registering apertures o the standar s and flanges .of the shell members, for fixedly retaining the shelf members in adjusted position against movement with respect to the standards.

2. In shelving, two standards having attaching plates disposed in parallel relation to each other, the plates ofeach standard having vertically and transversely spaced apertures. shelf members adapted to be arranged between the attaching plates of said standards and having side flanges, said flanges having a plurality of apertures arranged in predetermined spaced relation with reference to each other and at least two of which are adapted to register with two of the apertures in the plates of said standards and in such manner as to project the major portion of the shelf members with respect to the standards and to arrange the same in predetermined angular relation with respect thereto,

coupling devices passed through the registering apertures of the standards and flanges of the shelf members, for fixedly retaining the shelf members in adjusted position against movement with respect to the standards, and the flanges of the shelf members having the spaced apertures arranged adjacent the front and rear sides thereof whereby said shelf members may be reversibly supported in connection with the standards.

3. In shelving, two standards having attaching plates disposed in parallel relation to each other, the plates of each standard having vertically and transversely spaced apertures, shelf members adapted to be arranged between the attaching plates of said standards and having side flanges, said flanges having a plurality of apertures arranged in predetermined spaced relation with reference to each other and at least two of which are adapted to register with two of the apertures in the plates of said standards and 111 such manner as toproject the major portion of the shelf members with respect to the standards and to arrange the same in predetermined angular relation with respect thereto, coupling devices passed through the registering apertures of the standards and flanges of the shelf members, for'fixedly retaining the shelf members in adjusted position against movement with respect to the standards, the flanges of the shelf members having spaced apertures arranged adjacent the front and rear sides thereof whereby said shelf members may be reversibly supported in connection with the standards and one side of the shelf members having a flange wall arranged to project from the same side face of the shelf members as said end'walls.

4. In shelving, two standards having attachin plates disposed in arallel relation to eacfl other, the plates 0 each standard having -vertically and transversely spaced apertures, shelf members adapted to be arranged between the attaching plates of said standards andhaving side flanges, said flanges having a plurality of apertures arranged in predetermined spaced relation with reference to each other and at least two of which are adapted to register with two of the apertures in the plates of said standards and in such manner as to project the major portion of the shelf members with respect to the standards and to arrange the same in predetermined angular relation with respect thereto, coupling devices passed through the registering apertures ofthe standards and flanges of the shelf members, for fixedly retaining the shelf members in adjusted position against movement with respect to the standards, the flanges of the shelf members having the spaced apertures arranged adjacent the front and rear sides thereof whereby said shelf members may be reversibly supported in connection with the standards, one end of the shelf members having a flange wall arranged to project from the same side face of the shelfmembers as said side flanges. and the other sidelhaving a flange wallprojectinIg in the opposite direction.

shelving of the class described, shelf supporting standardsconsisting of beams L- "tures in the two vertical columns of each standard in supportingeach shelf member in different angular positions with respect to the standards, and securing devices passed through the registering apertures to support said shelf members in different positions of adjustment.

6. In shelving of the class described, shelf supporting standards consisting of beams L- shaped in cross sectional form, said beams being arranged in spaced relation and the opposed flanges of said beams having two vertical columns of apertures arranged in close proximity and extending throughout the major portion ofthe length of said standards,'shelf members having side flanges, said flan es being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced and transversely ofl'set apertures adjacent one end portion thereof whereby said end of each shelf member may be arranged within and between said standards, withtwo of the apertures in each flange registering with apertures in the two vertical columns of each standard in supporting each shelf member in different angular positions with respect to the standards. securing devices passed through the registering apertures to support said shelf members in different positions of adjustment, and the lower ends of the standards having supporting feet extending forwardly with respect to the shelf members on said standards.

7. In shelving of the class described, shelf supporting standards consisting of beams L- shaped in cross sectional form, said beams being arranged in spaced relation and the opposed flanges of said beams having two vertical columns of apertures arranged in close proximity and extending throughout the major portion of the length of said standards, shelf members having side flanges, said flanges being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced and transversely oflset apertures ad acent one end portion thereof whereby said end of each shelf member may be arranged within and between said standards, with two of the apertures in each flange registering with apertures in the two vertical columns of each standard in supporting each shelf member in different angular positions with respect to the standards, securing devices passed through the registering apertures to support said shelf members in different positions of adjustment, and said side flanges having correspondingly spaced apertures arranged adjacent the other end of the shelf members whereby said shelf members may be reversibly supportedin said standards.

8. In shelving of the class described, shelf supporting standards consisting of beams L- shaped in cross sectional form, said beams being arranged in spaced relation and the opposed flanges of said beams having two vertical columns of apertures arranged in closed roximity and extending throughout the me. or ortion of the length of said standards, s el members'haw'ng side flanges, said flanges bein provided with a plurality of longitudinal y spaced and transversely offset apertures adjacent one end portion there-' of whereby sa'id end of each shelf member may be arranged within and between said standards, with two of the apertures in each flange registering with apertures in the two vertical columns of each standard in supporting each shelf member in different angular ositions with respect to the standards, securing devices passed through the registering apertures to support said shelf members in different positions of ad'ustment, said side flanges having correspon ingly spaced apertures arranged adjacent the other end of the shelf members whereby said shelf members may be reversibly supported in said standards, and one end of the shelf members having a flange projecting angularly with respect to one face thereof, and the other end having a correspondingjflange projectin in the direction of the opposite face thereo 9. In shelving, spaced standards having a plurality of apertures arranged longitudinally thereof in vertically and laterally s ace'd relation, shelf members having anges at the sides thereof, said flanges being provided with longitudinally and transversely spaced apertures, said shelf members betwo apertures in both flanges 0 each shelf member and through laterally spaced apertures in said standards so that said shelf members may be spaced apart at various vertical points and at different angles with relation to the standards.

10. In shelving, spaced standards having a plurality of apertures arranged longitudinally thereof in vertically and laterally spaced relation, shelf members having flanges at the sides thereof, said flanges being provided with longitudinally and transversely spaced apertures, said shelf members being arranged between said standards with the side flanges adjacent said standards, fastening devices passed through at least two apertures in both flanges of each shelf member and throu h laterally spaced apertures in said standards so that said shelf members may be spaced apart at various vernally thereof in vertically and laterally spaced relation, shelf members having flanges at the sides thereof, said flanges being provided with longitudinally and transversely spaced apertures, said shelf members being arranged between said standards, with the side flanges adjacent said standards, fastening devices passed through at least two apertures in both flanges of each shelf member and through laterally spaced apertures in said standards so that said shelf members may he s aced apart at various vertical points an at dlfierent angles with relation to the standards, and the apertures in the side flanges of said shelf members being arranged adjacent both ends of said shelf members whereby said shelf members ma be reversibly supported in connection with said standards.

12. In shelving, spaced standards having a plurality of apertures arranged longitudinally thereof in vertically and laterally spaced relation, shelf members having flanges at the sides thereof,- said flanges being provided with longitudinally and transversely spaced 9. rtures, sai shelf members being arrang between said standards with the side flanges adjacent said standards, fastening devices passed through at least two apertures in both flanges of each shelf member and through laterally spaced apertures in said standards so that said shelf members may be spaced apart at various vertical points and at different angles with relation to the standards, and brace members coupled with said standards and shelf members in spaced relation to the fastening devices employed for securing the shelf members to the standards.

In testimony that I claim foregoing as my invention I have signed my name this 10th day of May, 1929.

ALBERT H. LEVENE. 

